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AmeriCorps Overview

AmeriCorps is a national network of programs that engages nearly 88,000 Americans each year in service to meet critical needs in education, the environment, public safety, homeland security, and other areas. In Massachusetts, there are more than 2,000 members serving each year to meet critical needs in the Commonwealth including providing tutoring and mentoring services to children, legal assistance for individuals and families, providing health education and job readiness workshops, and maintaining our natural resources and public lands. In exchange for their service, AmeriCorps members earn a Segal Education Award and some receive a small living allowance (which does not count as income against certain disability benefits), health care and child care subsidy.

AmeriCorps members serve in three programs across the United States - AmeriCorps State and National, AmeriCorps*NCCC, and AmeriCorps*VISTA.

• Click here if you're interested in becoming an AmeriCorps member.
• Click here if you're interested in hosting an AmeriCorps program.
• Click here for general information about AmeriCorps.

AmeriCorps State and National

AmeriCorps State and National is the largest of all AmeriCorps programs where grants are provided to local and national agencies committed to using service to address critical needs to recruit, train, supervise and manage AmeriCorps members who will engage in a term of service to address critical community needs in education, public safety, health and the environment.

After successful completion of their term of service, AmeriCorps members earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award that can be used to pay for college or graduate school at Title IV schools, or to repay qualified student loans. Full-time AmeriCorps members also receive a modest living allowance, health care benefits, and child care assistance.

For more information on how to apply for AmeriCorps State and National funding, click here.

AmeriCorps*NCCC

AmeriCorps*NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) is a full-time, team-based residential program for men and women age 18-24. Members are assigned to one of five campuses, located in Denver, Colorado; Sacramento, California; Perry Point, Maryland; Vicksburg, Mississippi; and Vinton, Iowa. The mission of AmeriCorps NCCC is to strengthen communities and develop leaders who complete team-based service projects throughout the region they are assigned.

For more information on the local AmeriCorps*NCCC campus in Maryland, please contact:
NCCC Atlantic Region
VA Medical Center
P.O. Box 27
Perry Point, MD 21902-0027
Phone: 410.642.2411 ext. 6852
E-mail: rnixon@cns.gov

AmeriCorps*VISTA

AmeriCorps*VISTA is the national service program designed specifically to fight poverty. Founded as Volunteers in Service to America in 1965 and incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs in 1993, VISTA has been on the front lines in the fight against poverty in America for more than 40 years.

VISTA members commit to serve full-time for a year at a nonprofit organization or local government agency, working to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses, strengthen community groups, and much more. With passion, commitment, and hard work, you'll create or expand programs designed to bring individuals and communities out of poverty.

For more information on how to apply for an AmeriCorps*VISTA, please contact:
Sherry McClintock
10 Causeway Street, Room 473
Boston, MA 02222-1038
Phone: 617.565.7006
Email: ma@cns.gov

For a full listing of AmeriCorps programs in Massachusetts, search here.

For Individuals

As an AmeriCorps member, you will become a part of a network of 88,000 individuals who will commit themselves annually to a year of service. You can serve locally in Massachusetts through a strong network of programs, or you can explore your options to serve anywhere across the United States within any of the three AmeriCorps programs - AmeriCorps State and National, AmeriCorps NCCC, and AmeriCorps VISTA. If you are interested in serving as an AmeriCorps member, click here to begin your search to see which program is right for you.

The Massachusetts Service Alliance is committed to seeking qualified individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to serve as AmeriCorps members. Please note that reasonable accommodations are available for interviews and for service upon request.

For Organizations

AmeriCorps members are a critical component in service delivery for many organizations across America. AmeriCorps members can provide mentoring or academic services, protect and improve public lands and trails, build capacity in nonprofit organizations, and much more. Click here to learn more about MSA's current AmeriCorps programs.

Organizations that are eligible to apply for an AmeriCorps program include:

• Local or national nonprofit organizations;
• Institutions of higher education;
• Local or state governments entities; and
• Native American tribes.

If you are considering applying for AmeriCorps, we encourage you to view this AmeriCorps 101 PowerPoint presentation by clicking here. MSA is in the process of developing a consultation form. Please check back in February 2011.

Please note that MSA staff cannot comment on proposed program designs once the AmeriCorps RFP has been released, so organizations are encouraged to contact staff between the months of January and June.

If you're interested in applying for an AmeriCorps program to serve Massachusetts, you will need to apply to the Massachusetts Service Alliance. For more information on this process, please visit the Funding Opportunities.

Additional AmeriCorps grant funding is distributed by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) directly to multi-state and national organizations through the AmeriCorps*National competitive process to operate AmeriCorps programs in more than one state. If your organization is interested in applying for this type of AmeriCorps funding, please click here.

Some information adapted from the Corporation for National and Community Service, 11/23/10.